What is LEED?

Increasingly, you're probably seeing plaques on buildings declaring LEED certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a comprehensive rating system for buildings and homes that quantifies their degree of integration into the environment, community and their long term sustainability. The growing importance of LEED is illustrated by a recent article on greenbiz that LEED certification of buildings grew 14% during 2010 alone, despite an overall decline in the housing market- in part due to an increase in general awareness, as well as the increasing importance of its environmental and financial implications.

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Why are buildings such an important piece of the energy picture? In cities like New York, 80% of all energy is consumed in buildings. By designing or retrofitting to meet LEED standards, buildings can drastically cut their energy usage. For example, the redesigned Empire State Building, which is now LEED Gold certified, has reduced its energy cost by 40% annually, resulting in annual savings of $4.4 million. But LEED doesn't just look at energy conservation. It focuses on 6 core areas, which include energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, indoor air quality, materials and resources, innovation and design, and integration into the surrounding community. Depending on the number of points a building earns, it can be awarded different levels, (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Our offices reside in the LEED Gold Hearst Tower in New York.

Buildings earn points for providing services like parking for alternative vehicles or offering bike racks. Other points are given for recycling materials, reducing light pollution, and roofs that incorporate green elements or reflect light to decrease their addition to the urban heat island effect. When workers are provided with improved ventilation, daylight and views, and controllable lighting and thermal conditions, additional points are granted.

While some of these ideas seem far reaching, they've been well thought out by thousands in the industry, and US Green Building Council (USGBC) which oversees the LEED system. The criteria provide a diverse foundation for the collective long term goals of environmental harmony, worker health and productivity, and energy efficiency and independence.